Tuesday, November 6, 2012

In my Unseelie Masquerade post, I posted teases of the mask I wore that was subsequently awarded to Lady of the Unseelie, Yukio Ida. Now I can happily present to everyone the mysterious and otherworldly mask of the Unseelie.

Creating this mask was an exercise in overcoming a creative block. I pulled it like a stubborn weed out of my head, and it fought me every step of the way. Fortunately, with my friend Selos and the freedom of Zbrush's Dynamesh feature, I put together every permutation I could until I found something that I loved.

The Unseelie mask is inspired by the delicate leather masks of more modern mask makers, and inwardly I've always associated the intricate tendrils and airiness leather allows with dark fairies. I came up with the basic shape of the mask very quickly, but put it aside as it lacked the regal complexity I was after. However, after trying a dozen other ideas that I didn't like anywhere near as much, I came back to it. I decided to try and jazz it up more, but I still liked the original's sinister simplicty. I realized with a very easy adjustment I could compromise and have both the version that was fit for the royalty of the Lady of the Unseelie and the more conservative base.

I separated the mask into two pieces, a mask and a headpiece. They fit together so that when both are worn, it looks like one fabulous mask, but the pieces can be separated if need be to have a simpler mask or a delicate diadem. They compliment each other but look lovely apart.

This mask is just one of the two I made for the party, but unfortunately I'm having a bit of a creative fit over the male mask. Usually, I release the two together, but seeing as how this one is ready to go and the other still needs work, I decided not to keep you waiting. Plus, this mask is unisex, and certainly holds well on its own.

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Second Life is an online community set in a 3D, game-like environment. It allows everyone to create content, from clothing to buildings, whatever you can imagine. It's a versatile medium for artists, and a place to meet people and form communities. There are any number of places to explore, games to play, and things to be.